LATEST UPDATE (30 JAN 2020): https://sia.org.sg/information-for-built-environment-sector-on-wuhan-coronavirus-2019-ncov-updated-as-of-30-january-2020/
This advisory advises employers and employees of built environment firms to take appropriate precautionary measures,in addition to the advisories published by Ministry of Health (MOH) and Ministry of Manpower (MOM).
MOH is closely monitoring the developments of the Wuhan coronavirus (2019-nCoV), and has advised Singaporeans to avoid travelling to the whole of Hubei province, China. MOH also advises the public to continue to exercise caution and attention to personal hygiene when travelling to the rest of China. MOM has issued an advisory on precautionary measures for employers and employees travelling to and from China, as well as other known affected countries in response to the increase in cases of the Wuhan virus.
To safeguard employees and provide for business continuity, employers and firms in the built environment sector, in particular the main contractor, should consider adopting the following practices and measures at project sites:
a) Implement a robust sickness surveillance process to identify and manage unwell employees, including:
- To require employees and visitors entering the project site to declare their recent travel history within the past two weeks;
- To implement temperature screening for all employees and visitors entering the site. In addition, to take note of any employees who have recently travelled to countries with known cases of 2019-nCoVand monitor if they are unwell;
- To maintain a site attendance record and visitors’ contact information for traceability;
- To direct personnel who are unwell to seek medical attention promptly; and
- To actively look into the arrangements for business continuity, should there be a confirmed case within their site or workforce; and housing concerns for employees who return from affected countries.
b) Remind employees to take note of MOH’s latesthealth advisory, remain vigilant and adopt general precautions, for instance:
- To advise employees to co-operate with the main contractor of the project site in administering precautionary measures with regard to containing the 2019-nCoV;
- To remind employees who intend to travel overseas, or have returned from overseas, to declare their travel plans/recent travel history to their respective employers promptly; and
- To monitor employees’ health closely and seek medical attention promptly if they feel unwell, especially if they have recently travelled to countries with known cases of 2019-nCoV.
The above additional precautionary measures serve as a guide for all employers and employees of the built environment sector. Employers should be proactive in introducing these measures for employee welfare as well as to avoid impact on business continuity in the event of outbreak within the workforce. Please visit the Ministry of Health (www.moh.gov.sg) for updates on the Wuhan coronavirus situation.
Building and Construction Authority